"Various groups in the City of Syracuse have begun to speak knowledgably about the use of Arts & Culture as a tool in economic development. Many of these groups, along with the City of Syracuse, and Matt Driscoll’s administration are working very hard to bring Arts & Culture to the forefront of our development plans, and to make Syracuse the center of Arts and Culture in the region. In our reversal of the negative trends in public and City support for the Arts, we need to look at the taxpayer as the most important target market for further growth.

"Arts & Culture not only provide aesthetic contributions to the City, but also supply economic and educational contributions manifested by the rising quality of life in our community.

"Various communities around the country are finding new and exciting ways to financially support and sustain the Arts in their regions with an imposition of an “Art Tax”. This special tax varies from region to region, but generally it is a creative, yet solid way to re-create an Arts & Culture Fund in the City of Syracuse that has been missing since 1992.

"An Arts & Culture Fund has the potential to financially support Downtown Public Arts Projects, Artist Live/Work Spaces, Murals, Sculptures, Arts & Cultural Organizations, and a myriad of other projects that will further enhance the “soul” of our City. Examples of various Art Taxes throughout the country include:

"Some of these examples are the sole support for many of the above cities Arts & Culture funds, others are used in mutual coordination with existing resources.

"With this letter, it is my hope that we can begin a community wide discussion about the possibility of an Art Tax in the City of Syracuse in order to revive an Arts & Culture Fund. Now that we are at the cusp of becoming the epicenter of Arts & Culture in the region it is time to get the message out about the importance of the Arts & Culture to our taxpayers. Now that we realize the importance that the Arts has on our community development, it is time to re- create an Arts & Culture fund in the City of Syracuse to sustain our newly formed Arts & Culture District, local artists, and public arts projects. Please offer your ideas in friendly, honest ways, without hostility, anger, or frustration, and we can continue to create a greater Syracuse together.

“Artists and cultural activities play a big role in establishing the creative climate of a city” (Michael Bloomberg, New York City Mayor)